Detective Inspector Jack Robinson vs. Detective William Murdoch
Similarities –
1) Both are Men of Honor, seeing themselves as servants of the law, not its masters. 2) They possess the irresistible constabulary charm and maintain their sartorial elegance in fedoras and three-piece suits. 3) Each has a complicated partnership/friendship/relationship with a strong, independent, intelligent, and beautiful lady, who provides invaluable assistance to their investigations. 4) Both have a somewhat inexperienced yet keen and dutiful constable by their side who we just adore. 5) They are men of science, especially Murdoch. 6) Both are incredibly well-read, Jack of Shakespeare and Murdoch of, well, pretty much everything.
Differences –
1) Jack has an ex-wife who left him after his return from the Great War while Murdoch had never been to a war and had never been married when he met Julia because his fiancée died of an illness. 2) Murdoch is a devout Catholic, but Jack’s religion has never been clearly addressed on the show. 3) While Jack often indulges in nightcaps at Miss Fisher’s parlor, Murdoch does not drink. 4) Jack’s superior turns out to be a hypocritical, corrupted copper who hinders his investigations. Murdoch’s superior may seem rough on the surface (just like our gruffy cabbie, Bert) but is a decent police officer. He appreciates and relies on Murdoch’s ability to solve crimes and gives him the support and resources he needs. 5) The endless banters between Jack and Phryne are clever, delectable, and playful. The affection between Murdoch and Julia is more reserved, but they often unleash their passion via the fantasies in their heads, especially during the earlier seasons.
Bonus –
The men who portray them (Nathan Page as Jack and Yannick Bisson as Murdoch) are both avid cyclists in real life. @fangirlshandbag suggested a bike race between them called “The Battle of the Fictional Colonial Detectives” with Mark Williams (aka Father Brown) or David Suchet (aka Hercule Poirot) being the officiator. The proposal is brilliant, but I am afraid that the fandoms may combust as a result of such epic hotness.
(Posted 08-Aug-2017)
